Vineyard Venues - Classically Romantic Settings for your Modern Wedding

Wine is symbolic in many cultures of purity, sophistication, and tradition. This makes wine and weddings a classic pairing. While it is almost always present at a wedding, in 2011 wine will gain a more prestigious postition as more weddings are based around themes that involve elements of Tuscan or Italian culture, vintage vineyard venues and wine tastings in lieu of cocktail hours.

A vineyard is the perfect place to begin a new life together. After all, the wine you will drink at the reception began it's life on the vines and aged to perfection as your marriage will. I am picturing sunwashed rows of grape vines and aged wooden wineries that will offer beautiful backdrops for both the ceremony and photos. Afterward, there will be a candlelit wedding reception where cheese, grapes, and italian bread adorn tables as edible centerpeices. Vintage wine barrells that have been revamped into cushioned bar stools offer creative seating while violins play soft music for the happy new couple to sway to during their first dance as husband and wife. The scene is pure romance in a sophisticated, yet casual and earthy way.  The connection to the vineyard and the creative use of old winery materials make this an eco-friendly choice as well.

Give your guests a unique experience by setting up a wine tasting table or having an hour or so dedicated to a wine tasting mixer before the ceremony or reception begin. Serve traditional pastas with white sauces, like fettucine alfredo. With a big salad full of vegetables and lots of deliciously fresh bread this meal could be inexpensive and fabulous! Small details like the adorable resin wine cork placecard holders shown above help tie your whole look together. At the end of the night you can send guests home with their own mini bottle of wine or an organic grape bunch fresh from the vineyard. 

Salute!

~Jenna

Photo Credits: Bride and Groom courtesy of Ken Kienow. Barrel Table and Chairs found at American Country Home Store. Vineyard courtesy of Italian Lakes Wedding.com. Rings on Wine Bottle courtesy of Gray Photography. Vineyard Invitations found on Etsy. Wine Bottle Favors/Invitations from My Personal Artist.

Here's the Scoop on a Fabulous Bridal Shower Idea...

As the winter months drag on, shift your mind to warmer thoughts. Are you searching for a unique idea for that spring or summer bridal shower? How about an Ice Cream Social theme? For all you girls out there who can recall spending more than one evening of their lives curled up with a pint of Ben and Jerry's, this bridal shower is right up your ally. Follow this recipe for a sweet shower that you and your guests will surely enjoy.

Kick off your ice cream themed bridal shower with do-it-yourself invitations shown at right. Use card stock and bakers twine to create adorable ice cream cone invites. If you can, throw your party outside and decorate your venue with whimsical ice cream cone garlands, balloons and centerpieces made from balls of yarn and sugar cones, as seen below.

Start your shower off with a light and tasty lunch with a 50's diner feel. Mini slider burgers and mini grilled cheese sandwiches are perfect paired with an ice cream treat to follow. Include appetizers like French fries and onion rings served in cone-shaped holders.

Your Ice Cream Social shower would not be complete without a self-service ice cream sundae bar. Your bar should include ice cream, of course, stick to the basic flavors like vanilla and chocolate and let your guests go crazy with the toppings. Place containers of ice cream in galvanized steel tubs filled with ice.

Ask each of your guests to bring in their favorite sundae topping, be sure to provide the essentials like chocolate syrup, caramel, chopped nuts, sprinkles and whipped cream. Other great toppings like Oreos, crushed candy bars, marshmallows, brownies and fruit will surely be appreciated. Don't forget the cherries! Place toppings in old fashioned glass jars or waffle cone bowls for a nice presentation. Have your guests create their sundaes in old fashioned, tulip sundae glasses for a retro touch, or waffle cone bowls for a less expensive option. Because nothing goes better with ice cream than cake, include in your menu cupcakes made in sugar cones, frosted like ice cream.

 

What would a bridal shower be without games? Keep your theme going with an ice cream sundae building contest, blindfold optional! Pair guests up and blindfold one, the blindfold-free partner will direct the other in building their sundae. Pair this game with other traditional bridal shower games. Give out ice cream themed party favors and prizes like neat ice cream scoops or collectible ice cream dishes or bowls.

You don't have to wait until spring or summer to celebrate with an Ice Cream Social Bridal Shower, ice cream is appreciated year round. Throw your party indoors and you will have your guests looking forward to warmer weather. This Ice Cream Social theme would also work well for engagement parties, couples showers, afternoon wedding receptions, and weekend wedding festivities.

So grab a spoon, you might need to start practicing for that sundae building contest!

Mandy

Credits: 1st image-ice cream cone dishes, 2nd collage-balloons, invitations, garland, 3rd collage- mini slider burgers, french fry cones, 4th collage- yarn centerpiece, bowls of ice cream, cupcake cones, waffle cone bowls

Take a Cue from These Wedding Hues

The shiny New Year is right around the corner and with it brings a whole new gamut of fresh and innovative weddings.  I personally can't wait to see what all our brides will come up with.  It is sure to be an exciting 2011 full of creativity and personal touches.

Before all the ribbon and decorations, of course comes an inspiration.  Whether it's pulled from your grandmother's vintage brooch or your favorite handbag, brides seem to be inspired by color early in their wedding planning stage.  To help with your wedding color hunt, we've pulled out all the stops, taking a cue from all our brides, Facebook fans, wedding industry giants, and fashion gurus, to bring you our top wedding color palettes for 2011 weddings.  Broken down by season, these colors are dramatic, romantic, and perfectly fabulous.

Spring - A freshing mix of fuschia and sunny yellow

Credits: Pink and yellow table setting, popsicles, wedding bouquet, wedding cake

Summer - Exciting palette of cobalt blue paired with tangerine

Credits: Bride and groom in grass, blue and orange table setting, bride against orange wall, wedding cake slice

Fall - Deep plum, orange, and earthtones make this palette a fall hit

Credits: Bride leaning on wall, wine bottle bags, bride with bouquet, blackberry pie

Winter - Wine, icy pink, and navy blue create a warm and inviting winter mix

Credits: Groom's pocket square, pink bridal shoe, wedding aisle, raspberry fudge

Happy Planning!

How to Plan a Fairy Tale Wedding

The headlines are booming with tales of Prince William’s wedding to Kate Middleton. What Bride doesn’t fantasize about having her own Fairy Tale Wedding? This could be easier than you think. Here are some tips for planning your own Fairy Tale Wedding.

What to Wear: Choose a ball gown style dress for your wedding. A fairy tale bride should be ready to go all out. Also select a beautiful tiara with a floor length view. The shoes of course must be gorgeous. Look for something with rhinestones to give your look that Cinderella feel. Don’t hold back on the accessories either, you should consider gloves and lots of bling.

Invitations: When I think ‘Fairy Tale’, I think royal scrolls. How lovely your invitations will be presented to your future guests in a scroll. Another great idea is using a wax seal for your invitations. This will also give your invitation that whimsical fairy tale feel.

Location: The best place to hold your wedding would be in a castle but we don’t all live near castles. Do your research. A lovely ball room will be appropriate and can be transferred into a fairy tale scene easily by adding a lot of draped fabric, flowers, candles and glitter.

Decor: Dress up your wedding with Fairy Tale accessories. A lovely guest book and pen set. You can also find carriage shaped card holders for your reception and castle shaped place card holders. Don’t hold back, this is a fairy tale wedding.

Favors: Who could resist a beautiful carriage shaped candle favor or a castle shaped book mark. I also love the glass slipper favors, though they my not be appropriate for your gentlemen guests. You could also use the Royal Coach Design Mint Tin Favors which would be practical for everyone.

Now that your head is spinning with fun ideas, get our there and start planning. Don’t forget ladies that when you wish upon a star, your dreams do come true!

Blushing Brides think Honeysuckle Pink - 2011 Color of the Year

Pantone Color Institute, the leader in color, has announced that of their spring line up, Honeysuckle Pink will be the color of the year. This is an exciting prediction. This shade of pink is bright and cheerful but is a more natural, calming tone than shocking hot pink. Pantone calls it "a brave new color," so hopefully some brave brides will be inspired to use it!

I love this color paired with softer hues. A palette made of pale pink, ecru, and honeysuckle creates a sweet, romantic look. Peonies and roses (and yes, honeysuckle too) go perfectly with this color scheme. Create the centerpieces shown below but submerging flowers in water filled cylinders.

Honeysuckle pink also looks as soft and cozy as a kitten when paired with gray. Grey is a popular accent color in weddings for 2011, giving them a modern look without appearing harsh.  Silver can be interchanged with gray, making it easy to find favors for your guests. I am in love with the silver tone teaspoons shown below that feature sayings on each handle like "a pinch of joy."

If you don't see what you like but love the idea of a honeysuckle pink wedding, you can always pair it with neutrals like white, ivory, and tan. You could also create a more dramatic look by using black with your pink and another accent color like lime green. If you are thinking spring, consider a brightly colored wedding made up pink and celery green or soft pastels. For summer or destination weddings on the beach, use coral reefs to inspire your color scheme and bring orange, yellow, and honeysuckle pink together to make a splash!

~ Jenna
Photo credit for Honeysuckle and Ecru Inspiration Board: Honeysuckle and ecru invites from Tiny Prints, Centerpieces from MayWeddingFlowers.com,Cake from The Knot, Bridesmaid dress from Dessy, handbag from Prepare to Wed.
Photo Credit for Honeysuckle and Grey Inspiration Board: Teaspoons and Sprinkle image from We Heart It, Silver Wedding Gown from Weddings on the French Riviera, Table Setting from Ghana Bride, Boutonniere from Flower Designs Tannes